BC Parks

Strathcona Provincial Park

British Columbia Est. 1911 2,500 km²

Vancouver Island's alpine core — BC's oldest provincial park.

Overview

Strathcona covers the mountainous heart of Vancouver Island and includes the province's highest waterfall (Della Falls, 440 m) and highest peak on the island (Golden Hinde, 2,195 m). Buttle Lake is the road-accessible hub; the Forbidden Plateau and Mount Washington Nordic area is the family-friendly north entry; the Elk River Trail is the classic multi-day approach to Landslide Lake.

BC's oldest provincial park (1911)
Della Falls — Canada's highest at 440 m
Forbidden Plateau alpine lakes chain
Golden Hinde — Vancouver Island's summit

Quick facts

Size: 2,500 km²
Established: 1911
Highest point: Golden Hinde 2,195 m
Highest falls: Della Falls 440 m

Things to do

Elk River Trail to Landslide Lake
22 km RT overnight
Buttle Lake paddle
Della Falls boat + hike
Water taxi across Great Central Lake
Forbidden Plateau day-hikes

Camping

Reservations: Recommended · Frontcountry: Yes · Backcountry: Yes · RV: Yes · Glamping: No

Buttle Lake and Ralph River car-camping
Backcountry sites at Landslide, Bedwell and Marble Meadows
Cross-country ski cabins at Forbidden Plateau

Campgrounds in and near this park

Green Point Campground
Tofino, British Columbia · 76 km away

Hiking

Elk River Trail / Landslide Lake
Hard · 22 km
Overnight to a turquoise lake below Colonel Foster.
Mount Albert Edward
Hard · 32 km
Classic Forbidden Plateau overnight; alpine tarns and lookout summit.
Karst Creek Loop
Easy · 2 km
Family boardwalk over disappearing streams and sinkholes.
Flower Ridge
Hard · 12 km
Steep alpine ridge above Buttle Lake with 360° views.

Wildlife

Common

Roosevelt elk, Black-tailed deer, Marmot, Bald eagle

Signature

Vancouver Island wolf, Cougar, Black bear

Viewing tips

Elk on Buttle Lake shore at dusk; marmots on Forbidden Plateau boulder fields.

Safety

Cougar country — hike in groups, keep kids close, never turn your back.

Photography

Landslide Lake with Colonel Foster wall
Della Falls plunge from the boat approach
Marble Meadows wildflowers
Cathedral Grove-style old-growth on the drive in

Best time to visit

spring

May: valley trails open; alpine still snowed in.

summer

July-Aug: prime alpine hiking window.

fall

Sept-Oct: gold and red on Forbidden Plateau.

winter

Mount Washington cross-country skiing and snowshoe access.

Peak: Late July through mid-August · Shoulder: Late June, mid-September

Family & accessibility

Family

Karst Creek boardwalk
Buttle Lake swim beaches
Junior naturalist programs in July

Accessibility

Wheelchair-friendly boardwalk at Karst Creek
Accessible sites at Buttle Lake Campground

Reservations

Book through BC Parks Discover Camping — opens 120 days ahead of arrival.

Reserve now

Suggested itineraries

weekend
Buttle Lake Basecamp
Two nights at Buttle Lake; paddle day one, hike Flower Ridge day two.
3-day
Elk River to Landslide Lake
One night in, one night at Landslide Lake with a rest day for the cirque.
family
Forbidden Plateau Day-Hike Sampler
Base at Mount Washington; day-hikes to Helen Mackenzie and Battleship lakes.

FAQ

How do I reach Della Falls?

Water taxi across Great Central Lake from Port Alberni, then 16 km hike each way.

Can I drive up to alpine?

Only at Mount Washington ski area on the Forbidden Plateau side.

Is Buttle Lake motorboat-friendly?

Yes — small motors are allowed; the lake is long and often glassy at dawn.

Nearby

National parks

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve · 82 km
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve · 209 km
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve · 510 km

Nearby cities

Tofino · 69 km
Nanaimo · 140 km
Port Hardy · 170 km

Other provincial parks

Road trips

Plan this trip with a human

Our Travel Concierge builds custom itineraries around Strathcona Provincial Park — permits, campsites, driving times, and shoulder-season strategy included.

Talk to the Concierge